And I looked, and behold: See the comments on 2Esdras 11.2. Here this expression may be rendered “While I watched” (Contemporary English Version) or even “As I kept looking” (similarly Good News Bible).

In due course the wings that followed also rose up on the right side, in order to rule: In due course means each wing took its turn to rule. The Latin text reads the wings that followed, which we prefer, but some ancient versions have “the little wings” (Revised Standard Version footnote), which Contemporary English Version follows. It is not clear what this verse means by the wings that followed, but it does seem clear enough that Contemporary English Version is incorrect by referring to “the smaller wings.” In verse 22 we learn that only two of the small wings have disappeared. Verses 20-21 appear to be a summary of what happened to all the wings except for six of the small wings (verse 24). For the translator the point is that wings here does not need to be identified further. The Latin text reads the right side, which we prefer, but one ancient version has “the left side” (Revised Standard Version footnote). It is often assumed from this verse that all the eagle’s wings were on the right side; it is hard to avoid this conclusion. The right side was symbolic of power. If translators follow the Latin text for this verse, there is no reason to add the textual information given in the Revised Standard Version footnotes.

There were some of them that ruled, yet disappeared suddenly: This sentence refers to a number of men who were emperor only a few months.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• As I watched, one wing after another rose up on the right side to seize power. Some did rule briefly, but then quickly disappeared.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.